SQRT Function Examples – Excel & Google Sheets

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Editorial Team

Reviewed by

Steve Rynearson

Last updated on February 9, 2023
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This Tutorial demonstrates how to use the Excel SQRT Function in Excel to calculate the square root.

SQRT Main Function

SQRT Function Overview

The SQRT Function Calculates the square root of a number.

To use the SQRT Excel Worksheet Function, select a cell and type:

sqrt formula syntax

(Notice how the formula inputs appear)

SQRT Function Syntax and Inputs:

=SQRT(number)

number – A number.

SQRT Function 

The SQRT Function returns the square root of a number. 

=SQRT(81)

SQRT 01

The formula calculates the square root of 81. The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the number.

SQRT Function – Negative Number

The SQRT Function returns #NUM! error when negative numbers are entered. The square root of a negative number is undefined. 

=SQRT(-81)

SQRT 02

SQRT & ABS Function 

You can also calculate the square root of a negative number like its positive, the ABS Function can be used. 

=SQRT(ABS(-81))

SQRT 03

Here, the ABS Function converts the negative number into positive number.  

SQRT Function in Google Sheets

The SQRT Function works exactly the same in Google Sheets as in Excel:

SQRT Google Function

Additional Notes

Use the SQRT Function to calculate the square root of a number.

Alternatively you can raise the number to the .5 power:

=5^.5 is the same as =sqrt(5) is the same as =product(5,.5)

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